Even with all the snow, xeriscaping stays on our minds…

By Randy Simpson

We are not going to let old Mother Nature fool us. Yes we’ve been shoveling every weekend, and our yards (especially the north facing ones) look like scenes from some artic travel video, but we are not being fooled. We live in a dry climate (really we do), and it won’t be too long before the snow is gone and it will spring and then summer again. The City of Aurora has already announced several years of increases in water rates, and as reported in previous issues of the Gazette, a committee has already been formed to look at an overall xeriscape master plan for the community. The plan will save water and increase the beauty and usefulness of our common park areas.

Added to our own xeriscape master plan, through the happy coincidence of fortunate timing (also known as dumb luck), it turns out the City of Aurora, in an effort to encourage water conservation and smart use of irrigation, is giving away up to $30,000 in grants. This grant money may be awarded to one or at most a few large projects that the City can then use as public examples of good xeriscaping. We have been fortunate to have one of our own residents (thank you Quink Arlt!) who, even as I write this article, is busy preparing to apply for this grant money by attending xeriscape classes given by the city. Should we be so fortunate as to get some or even all of this grant money from the City, it would be a wonderful kick-start to our overall xeriscape master plan. We will of course keep you updated on this in future editions of Gazette.

In the meantime, please keep your thoughts on the lovely spring days that are ahead. The flowers, the buzzing bees, and the fresh warm air. Think about the days you’ll spend in your flower garden, or washing your car on the driveway in your shorts; as today, you pile and mounds and mounds of snow on that garden and shiver inside your down parka and snowshoes as you shovel your driveway. ~

What a Party!

By Debra Jones

We had a great end to 2006 with our holiday party in December. And what a party is was!  Everyone who attended our annual Andover Glen Holiday Party had a wonderful time. We had great food, holiday cheer and the best darn neighbors to mingle with. I want to thank M.L Hanson and Mike Zabinski for opening their home for the party, and being such fabulous hosts. Also, I want to thank all of the neighbors who help me put this all together, without them it would have been another baa hum bug of a year.  If anyone has suggestions for

next year or would like to open their home for the Holiday Party, please e-mail me at debsew79@msn.com.

Quotable and Notable

Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor's noisy party than being there. ~ Franklin P. Jones

Neighborhood Watch Update or

“When Things Go Bump in the Night”

By Bob Meyer

Here are some tips for staying safe this winter.  

Get in the habit of placing your car keys and a cell phone within easy reach at night, perhaps on your bedside table.  If you suspect an intruder has entered your home, or is nearby, call 911 and then activate your car alarm, by pressing the little panic button.  You may then quietly chamber a round in your personal defense device, knowing that you have taken some big steps in defending your home and hearth. 

Hopefully, the bad guys will depart, because they do not like noise, attention, and armed homeowners.  They also do not like the prospect of your neighbors peering out their windows to see what is going on at the Meyer home.  Ahhhh…witnesses!  

The same applies when you walk to your parked car.  Have the keys ready (always a good idea) and do not hesitate to hit the alarm button if you feel threatened. 

Have a great New Year, and as always, stay alert and stay focused! ~

Special Feature Article:

What’s Hot and What’s Not in Home Design

By Donna Foerster, GRI

Keller Williams Realty

Are you thinking of making changes in your home design?  Maybe you are going to renovate or just add a few upgrades.  In a recent survey of more than 900 real estate professionals nationwide, practitioners reported that the inability to keep stainless steel appliances, glass front cabinets, and vessel-style sinks clean has caused then to fall out of favor with buyers.  Also, spiral staircases have become less popular, particularly among buyers with young children.

As for what’s “in”, buyers are increasingly looking for some of the following features in homes:

You may not be thinking of selling your home now, however resale value should be a part of your decision making when considering any changes in your home. ~

Special Thanks to…

Derrick Laughlin, Lynn Walton, Mattie, Quink and Norm Arlt for digging out snowbound Parker Rd entrance on 12/24!

:

Ron Adams for making tracks in snowed-in streets during snowstorms!

Debra Jones for organizing a wonderful Holiday Party and M.L Hanson and Mike Zabinski for hosting it!

Where did those trees go?

By Norm Arlt

Before we get too many phones calls, I thought it best to let the Association know about some plans that the Xeriscape committee has approved calling for the removal of two cottonwood trees by the tennis courts.

These trees have been a bit of a nuisance for a few years now as they have grown far beyond the size appropriate for area. They use up extra water and have been damaging the tennis court surface for some time. Additionally, they drop a lot of leaves and twigs on the surface of the courts.

Trees are often wonderful things that provide shade and beauty, and we hate to get rid of any. However these cottonwoods unfortunately have become more of liability for our park.

And now for the hard part of being a board member…

By Randy Simpson

Aside from the snow, and the snow, and of course…the snow, it’s been a great few months here in Andover Glen. We had a great holiday party in December, and we had lots and lots of neighborly cooperation related to helping each other survive the snow we’ve been having.

As the Association President, I must report a rather unfortunate bit of news however. We have a homeowner who made a significant modification to their property, in which they did not receive prior approval from the Architectural Committee, and the improvement is well outside the guidelines allowed for in the Andover Glen covenants. This homeowner was duly notified prior to this improvement that they needed to get approval. After they made this change to their property, they were notified both by the Andover Glen board several times, as well as by our attorney, that they were not in compliance with covenants.

As of the writing of the newsletter, it now appears like a strong possibility that the Association will need to file a lawsuit against this homeowner. I want you know that the board takes this possible action very seriously and after many hours of deliberations.  Failure to take action on this issue could seriously jeopardize the value and effectiveness of our covenants in general, and also could open the board up to legal issues for failing to follow through on our fiduciary responsibilities to uphold the Andover Glen covenants.

The board has been advised not to discuss the details of this action at this time but it is important that the members of the Association realize that there will be legal costs involved in filing this lawsuit, and the board is monitoring all such costs very closely. You can feel confident that we are being prudent in our financial management of this issue.

As I said, we cannot discuss the details of this potential legal action, but I promise to keep you, the Association Membership, updated with as much information related to this situation as our legal counsel indicates is prudent.

Again, please know that this action has come only after many months of trying to solve it by other means, and ultimately, your board is dedicated to preserving both the quality of life that we enjoy in Andover Glen, as well the value of our properties. ~

Vote to update Andover Glen Policies and Procedures to be taken at February Meeting

By Randy Simpson

At our February meeting, the Board will be voting on some changes that were required by the State of Colorado SB 89. These changes are primarily house keeping measures having to do with the general operations of the Association and the board. You can view the full text of these changes at the Association web site – www.andoverglen.org and then follow the link for policies and procedures. The changes are under the item, “Proposed updates required by SB 89”.

Also, a full text of these proposed changes can be obtained by calling the board Secretary, Anne Stellmon, at 303-699-8567. ~

Easter Bunny coming to the Glen…

By Debra Jones

I am planning an Easter Event in our park and would like to have some neighbors help me plan this event.

Please e-mail me at debsew79@msn.com if you are interested. ~

Reminder:

The next AG Board Meeting is Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 at 7 p.m. at Shalom Park. All AG residents are welcome.